2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro Review and Test Drive

Kia revamps the Sorento with fresh exterior styling and an upscale, high-tech cabin.

Perry Stern | 

Aug 15, 2024 | 7 min read

Perry Stern

The Kia Sorento has come a long way since its introduction more than two decades ago. That original truck-based five-passenger SUV has blossomed into an appealing midsize crossover sitting in Kia's lineup between the Sportage and the larger Telluride. Kia last redesigned the Sorento in 2021, and now a significant refresh arrives for the 2024 model year.

With a new look, an updated interior, and a more upscale vibe, the 2024 Kia Sorento remains a good choice for people who want three rows of seats without the bulk of a larger SUV. Additionally, the new 2024 Sorento X-Pro boasts a more rugged appearance with standard off-road tires.

Kia provided that model for this review, and my test vehicle came with SX Prestige trim, all-wheel drive (AWD), Olive Brown leather, and carpeted floor mats. The manufacturer's suggested retail price was $49,400, including the $1,375 destination charge.

Based on my weeklong test drive in southeastern Michigan, the Sorento X-Pro doesn't feel oversized from behind the steering wheel. And with good power from its turbocharged engine and a smooth ride quality, it's easy to drive daily.

Perry Stern

The 2024 Sorento Features Fresh Exterior Styling

Kia's refresh for the 2024 Sorento looks significant. The most noticeable changes occur up front, where the Sorento gets a complete makeover, adopting a style similar to the larger Telluride.

Vertical LED projector headlights flank a wide, rectangular grille, while amber LED running lights frame the SUV's corners, giving it a broad stance and an unusual appearance at night. The lower grille, which is also broad and features integrated fog lights, further enhances the look.

At the rear, new LED taillights add additional style to the Sorento. Otherwise, the SUV's design is mostly unchanged.

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For 2024, Kia Offers a High-Tech and Upscale Interior

Kia updates the 2024 Sorento's interior with a new panoramic curved display. The display appears to rest on the dashboard and incorporates the digital instrumentation panel and infotainment touchscreen, each measuring 12.3 inches in most Sorentos.

Slim horizontal air vents split the upper and lower portions of the dashboard, with upright vents at the edges. This unique design and the wide display screen provide a clean style that gives the cabin an expansive, open feel.

Not only does the Sorento get a new display screen, but the infotainment system also features the latest version of Kia's Connected Car Navigation Cockpit. The new operating system boasts a faster processor that delivers quicker responses to user inputs and is now capable of over-the-air updates.

I found the new infotainment system intuitive. It offered quick access to the most used functions and a home screen that was easily configurable to show the desired features. Best of all, the new system supports wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay across all trim levels, a nice upgrade from the previous Sorento.

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My test vehicle featured the new Olive Brown leather trim, available only on higher-level trims. I thought the stylish power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation would look at home in a much more expensive model, and the matching bucket seats in the second row added a luxurious element.

The available second-row captain's chairs provide spacious and comfortable surroundings. While the third row is tight for adults, kids are likely to climb in easily and benefit from cupholders and USB ports for the ride. When the third row is unnecessary, it folds easily to expand the cargo space.

If there's a misstep in the new Sorento's interior, it's the dual-function control panel integrated into the lower center of the dashboard. It has two control knobs and several touch-sensing virtual buttons, and you use a toggle switch to change the panel from the climate system to the infotainment system and back.

While I found this approach to be a good use of space in reducing the visual clutter in the cabin, it was a source of constant frustration during my time in the Sorento. The advantage of physical knobs is that the driver can typically adjust them without looking away from the road. With Kia's dual-purpose setup, it is too easy to make a mistake.

For example, I reached down to turn up the volume, and while the sound stayed the same, the cabin became too warm. I had to twist again to reduce the temperature, look down to find the toggle, switch the panel to the infotainment system, and then adjust the volume.

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Kia Builds the New Sorento X-Pro for Adventure

Most crossover SUVs operate as daily drivers, with little need to leave the pavement. However, some people do like the idea of venturing off the beaten path, and Kia's rugged X-Pro model Sorento may appeal to those more adventurous customers.

The new Sorento X-Pro builds on the X-Line, which already features distinct front and rear bumpers, standard torque-vectoring AWD, a bridge-style roof rack, and a gloss-black grille. The X-Pro adds style and capability with standard BF Goodrich all-terrain tires fitted to 17-inch gloss-black wheels. It also has an X-Pro logo embossed on the leather-trimmed front seats.

The X-Pro is only available with top-level SX Prestige trim, so it comes fully loaded with features such as a Bose audio system, power front seats, heated rear seats, and leather upholstery.

It also comes standard with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission ensures smooth power delivery.

But is the Sorento X-Pro really an off-roader? Aside from its more aggressive tires, the X-Pro has few specific off-roading features. Its 8.2 inches of ground clearance and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive with a center locking differential match the specs for other Sorento AWD models. Sure, in my experience the off-road tires add traction and improve the ride on rough surfaces, but I was expecting higher ground clearance or an upgraded suspension.

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While it's unlikely that a Sorento X-Pro buyer will attempt to traverse a mud bog or tackle a rock climb in this SUV, traveling down an unpaved road or rough forest track is a reasonable scenario. Many roads in southeast Michigan are unpaved and in varying states of decay, and most have higher speed limits than expected. I spent considerable time adventuring off the pavement to see how well the X-Pro performs and was duly impressed.

The Sorento's AWD system provided excellent traction on the loose surfaces, aided by the grip of the off-road tires, from what I experienced. Accelerating hard from a stop in the dirt resulted in minimal wheel spin as the Sorento moved off the line quickly. The SUV remained stable and confident at higher speeds, even when tackling corners. Not only did the X-Pro offer excellent performance in the dirt, but the ride also remained smooth and comfortable.

While the off-road tires provide an advantage when driving off pavement, most owners will likely spend most of their time on paved roads. The X-Pro was surprisingly quiet when cruising on Interstate 94 at 70 mph, with no noticeable road noise invading the cabin. On winding two-lane country roads, I detected no decline in handling.

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How the Sorento Stacks Up Against the Competition

With its fresh exterior styling and significant interior upgrades, the 2024 Kia Sorento is an excellent choice among midsize crossovers if you need a third-row seat only for occasional use. It delivers a spacious and comfortable cabin and impressive utility for hauling gear, and it looks good doing it. The addition of the 2024 Sorento X-Pro will likely attract new customers looking for something more adventurous to drive.

That said, there are some tough competitors in this popular segment, such as the GMC Acadia, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander.

For people who want a true off-road vehicle, there's the Jeep Grand Cherokee L. But the Sorento brings a lot to the table, and the updated 2024 version should hold its own against these worthy rivals.

Perry Stern

I have loved cars and trucks since childhood, and that fascination with anything that drives is just as strong today. As a teenager, I knew I wanted to become an automotive journalist, and during the past three decades, I have driven, written about, and photographed all manner of automobiles ranging from affordable econocars to exotic supercars. With the idea that there is a perfect car, truck, or SUV for everyone, my goal is to help consumers determine the right one for their wants and needs.